Stretcher.



P. 0. RHEUBOTTOM 8; R. B. RAYNER.

STRETGHER. APPLICATION FILED APR. 5, 1909.

Patented Sept. 28, 1909.

NTTE E D TE FFTQE.

FRANK C. RHEUBOTTOM AND ROY B. BAYNER, OF UNION CITY, MICHIGAN.

STRETCHER.

Application filed April 5, 1909.

Specification of Letters Patent.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, FRANK G. RHEU- BOTTOM and Roy B. RAYNER, citizens of the United States, residing at Union City, in the county of Branch, State of ldichigan, have invented a new and useful Stretcher, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to stretchers and is more especially designed for use by undertake-rs while handling corpses, although it is also useful for carrying sick or injured persons.

The object of the invention is to provide a light but durable device of this character which can be quickly folded into a compact bundle and which, when extended for use, will hold a body in such a manner as to prevent it from slipping out of place.

Another object is to provide a device of this character utilizing flexible body-supporting members which are detachably connected to one side of the stretcher and which can be readily slid from under a body after the removable side of the stretcher has been detached.

A still further object is to provide means for holding the head of the body against lateral displacement.

WVith these and other objects in View the invention consists in certain novel details of construction and combinations of parts hereinafter more fully described and pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings the preferred form of the invention has been shown.

In said drawings :Figure 1 is a plan view of a stretcher embodying the present improvements, the same being shown set up for use. Fig. 2 is a section on line AB Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a detail view of the de tachable side member of the stretcher. Fig. 4 is a plan view of the other member of the stretcher and the resilient strip folded thereonto.

Referring to the figures by characters of reference 1 and 2 designate the side strips or handle members of the stretcher, said member 2 being provided at its ends with pivotally mounted flexible supporting straps 3 and 4. respectively, preferably formed of thin strips of steel or other suitable metal, the free ends of the straps being formed with longitudinal slots 5. The strap 3 has a band 6 extending around the middle portion thereof and serving to hold in place two bow-shaped holding strips 7, formed of spring metal and the free ends of which are normally spaced from the straps 3. Sleeves 8 are slidably mounted upon the strips 7 and the straps 3, these sleeves being arranged at opposite sides of the band 6 and being designed, when slid toward the ends of the strips 7, to flatten said strips 7 against the straps 3. The parts have been indicated in this position by dotted lines in Fig. 2. Another intermediate strap 9 is pivotally connected to the handle member 2 at a point adjacent the middle thereof, this strap being of the same length as the straps 3 and 4 and being likewise provided with a slot 5 within its free end portion.

Pivotally connected to the member 2 adjacent the pivots of the straps 3 and 9 are bracing straps 10 having longitudinal slots 11 in the free end portions thereof, these straps being longer than the straps 3, 4t and 9, and being designed, when the stretcher is set up, to cross as indicated in Fig. 1.

The handle member 1 has buttons 12 pivotally mounted thereon, these buttons being so located that when the straps 3, 4: and 9 are extended at right angles from the memher 2 and the straps 10 are crossed in the manner hereinbefore described, the said buttons can be inserted into the slots 5 and 11 and, when turned into position there-across, will securely lock the straps upon the member l. The crossed bracing straps 10 will of course prevent the members 1 and 2 from moving toward each other when the parts are thus assembled.

Should it be desired to place a body upon the stretcher the flexible straps 3, 4t, 9 and 10 are inserted under the body and are then attached to the handle member 1. The head of the body is placed within the holding strips 7 and the body can then be conveyed from place to place with little danger of slipping out of proper position upon the stretcher. This is due especially to the fact that the body will settle within the stretcher between the crossed straps 10 and the straps 3 and 9.

To remove the stretcher from the body after said body has been placed upon a cooling table or the like, it is merely necessary to detach the member 1 from the straps and to then withdraw the straps from under the body. The stretcher can also be utilized in placing dressed bodies in caskets without in anywise disturbing the arrangement of the garments.

Should it be deemed desirable straps may be utilized for the purpose of fastening a body to the stretcher, but this construction is so obvious that an illustration thereof is not deemed necessary.

When the stretcher is not in use the straps 3, l, 9 and 10 can be swung into position upon the member 2- and the holding strips 7 flattened out by means of the sleeves 8, asshown by dotted lines in Fig, 2. The. entire device Will thus occupy avery smallv space and can thereforebe. conveniently stored; Within a Wagon, ambulance or the like.

ltfis of courseto be-understood that varioustchangesfmay be made. in the construction and arrangement of the parts WltlflQlll}:

departing from the spirit or sacrificing the advantages of the invention.

What isclaimed is 7 1., A stretcher comprising-handle members, flexible body-supporting strips pivotally-connected to. one of the members,flexible bracing and body supporting strips pivotallyconnected to said .membenand disposed to cross, and separatemeansupon the. other member, for detachably engagingthe sup- .porting and bracingstrips to hold the members, flexible blade supporting strips movably connected to one of the members, separate crossed flexiblebracmg and supporting strips movably connected to said member, means upon the other member for detachably engaging the supporting and bracing strips.

at. A stretcher comprising handle members, flexible body supporting strips movably connected to one of the members and having slotted end portions, flexible crossed bracing and body-supporting strips movably connected to said member and having slotted,

terminal portions, separate means upon the other member for engaging the slotted portions of the respective strips to hold said members substantially in fixed relation to each other.

5. A stretcher comprising handle mem-- bers, flexible body-supporting strips movably connected toone of the members and having slotted end portions, separate flexible crossed bracing antibody-supporting strips movably connected to said member and hZLV- ing slotted terminal portions, separate means upon theother member. for; engag ng the slotted portions of the-respective strips to hold said members substantially in fixed .relation toeach other, and flexible head-centering means upon one of; the supporting straps.

6. A v stretcher comprising a, supporting structure including a strap, a bow-shaped head-centeringdevice upon said strap, and sleeves slidablymounted upon, and extend. ing around said strap and device for holding, said device flat upon the strap.

Intestimonythat We claim the foregoing as .our own, We have hereto affixed our signatures in the presence of two Witnesses.

FRANK C. RHEUBOTTOM. ROY B. BAYNER.

Witnesses:

JAs. B. MELODY, J.. S. NEsBrrr. 

